Virgin Coconut Oil Health Benefits

Virgin coconut oil has been of special interest due to its use for health and healing in many Asian and
Pacific countries. The Virgin Coconut Oil Health benefits are often disputed, however the research into coconut oil is increasing so we are starting to better understand it via more evidence unmasking the hype.

Virgin coconut oil is processed differently from hydrogenated coconut oil and when researching scientific trials you need to make sure the research was completed on virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil hasn’t been treated with high levels of heat, refined, bleached or deoderised. Significantly, virgin coconut oil doesn’t contain Trans Fats which are associated with insulin-resistance, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

In the 1920s and 30s it was discovered that the composition of virgin coconut oil is different to that of other fats and oils. It was discovered that it is composed of medium-chain-fatty-acids (MCFAs) compared to other saturated fats which contain long chain fatty acids (LCFAs).

Coconut Oil Health Benefits

Virgin Coconut Oil vs other saturated fats

Most saturated fats come from animal sources and are made up of long chain fatty acids (LCFA or LCT). Our bodies need to work extra hard to process these fatty acids. 92 % of virgin coconut oil is made up of short and medium chain fatty acids (MFCAs also called medium chain triglycerides or MCT). Why is this important? Well, MCTs are metabolised differently from LCTs. Almost all of the MCTs used in research, medicine, and food products come from coconut oil. MCTs are easily digested, absorbed, and put to use nourishing the body. They put little strain on the digestive system and provide a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. MCTs are sent straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are either used for energy right away or turned into ketone bodies (we’ll talk about the importance of these later).

Can coconut oil help you lose weight?

Virgin Coconut Oil Health benefits are varied and one topic hotly debated today is whether coconut oil helps you burn fat and lose weight. The answer lies in the composition of virgin coconut oil …

Coconut oil has a high level of Lauric Acid, a form of medium-chain-fatty-acid (MCFAs). Modern research has shown that these MCFAs are processed in the body in a different way to other long-chain-fatty-acids.

Instead of being packaged into lipoproteins that circulate in the bloodstream, MCTs are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the portal vein, and are then transported to the liver. They are easier to digest because they don’t need bile or pancreatic enzymes to break them down. This means they provide your body with quick energy, similar to carbohydrates.

Since MCTs are utilised quickly as energy, they are not stored as fat—unless of course you over consume calories. MCTs provide about 10% fewer calories than LCTs – 8.3 calories per gram for MCTs versus 9 calories per gram for LCTs. Their reduced chain length also means they are more rapidly absorbed by the body and therefore more quickly metabolised (burned) as fuel. This means the calories from MCT’s are efficiently converted to fuel for immediate use by the body instead of being stored as fat.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found patients lost weight when they included MCFA’s in their diet. In fact, when you compare a diet including olive oil or MCFA’s, it was found patients lost more weight using MCFA’s.

Numerous other studies have shown that ingesting MCTs (or MCFAs) contributes to weight loss and a reduction in fat.

Conclusion: replacing other forms of saturated fats with coconut oil in your diet can aid in weight loss while delivering energy to the body in an efficient manner. Coconut oil is still a fat that contains calories, so don’t eat too much as this may negate the benefits.

Improved Vitamin absorption

Some vitamins and nutrients are water soluble and some are fat soluble. Fat soluble nutrients and vitamins include lutein, beta-carotene, Vitamins A, D, K and E (Vitamin A is essential for good vision, Vitamin D for bone health, K for blood clotting, and E for limiting the formation of harmful free radicals.

In order for your body to absorb fat soluble nutrients and vitamins you need a little bit of healthy fat in your diet. For this reason, we are encouraged to sprinkle salads and even vegetables with some dietary fat such as olive or coconut oil.

Thanks to the ability of these vitamins and nutrients to be dissolved into fats, we are able to absorb them into our body and bloodstream. The dietary fats will carry the nutrients and vitamins to our liver where they will be stored until needed.

In two other studies it was found that medium-chained triglycerides (MCT) in our diet, or supplementing our diet, by improving vitamin absorption and restricting dietary long chain fats without limiting the intake of proteins are necessary for growth.

Conclusion: Virgin coconut oil may increase your ability to absorb fat soluble vitamins and minerals more efficiently.

Your immune system and coconut oil

About 50% of the MCTs or MCFA’s in coconut oil are made up of lauric acid. Lauric acid converts to monolaurin, a compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity. Research has found that this medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms.

Research has shown that coconut oil is a proven:

• anti-inflammatory
• antibacterial
• antifungal, and
• antibiotic.

We can conclude that coconut oil can reduce inflammation thereby supporting tissue healing and repair. The only other rich dietary source of lauric acid apart from coconut oil is human milk.

Coconut oil is good for your heart (and cholesterol)

There is a lot of hype about whether coconut oil is good for your cholesterol levels or bad. Here’s what we know.

We used to consider all fat is bad for your heart, however we’ve come to discover that some dietary fat is required to help us absorb fat soluble vitamins into our systems.

We also know that coconut oil is made of 92% saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought. Saturated fats raise HDL (the good) cholesterol and change the LDL cholesterol to a benign subtype . (Here’s an article citing five studies that helps challenge the myth: https://authoritynutrition.com/5-studies-on-saturated-fat/)

We’ve also learnt that the saturated fats in coconut oil are made up of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which have a lot of health benefits because they are metabolised more like carbohydrates than fats (and coconut oil comprises around 60% MCTs).

Researchers and health practitioners are finding positive results from the clinical application of MCT therapy in the management of cardiac disease. Current research supports the idea that the diseased heart is energy deficient and that MCTs can provide the stressed and deficient cells with an alternate energy source.

Not persuaded yet? Recent research into coconut oil and cardiovascular disease can be found to substantiate these claims:

• In 2015 researchers who completed a controlled case study into the association between cardiovascular disease and coconut consumption found that there was no evidence of an association between cardiovascular disease and coconut consumption. In fact, the research concluded that the coconuts had a protective effect on the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
• Another study completed in November 2015, looked at whether extra virgin oil-rich diet increases HDL cholesterol and decreases waist circumference and body mass in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. They concluded that the nutritional treatment associated with extra virgin coconut oil consumption reduced the CC and increased HDL-C levels in patients with CAD.
• In another study in 40 women, coconut oil reduced total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL compared to soybean oil.
• There are also studies on rats showing that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL and improves blood coagulation factors and antioxidant status.

Conclusion: while the debate continues to rage, with conflicting evidence out there, our research indicates that there is some truth behind the hype that coconut oil is good for your heart and your levels of good cholesterol.

Alzheimer’s and coconut oil

A new debate has emerged about the use of coconut oil in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and patients with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a common cause of dementia in elderly people and is prevalent all over the world. Research is indicating that Alzheimer’s patients appear to have a reduced ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain. Medium-chain fatty acids may improve memory function because they promote the production of ketones, a source of fuel for the brain. (Ketone bodies are produced when the body metabolises medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), something coconut oil is rich in!)

Numerous studies have been completed in which this theory has been tested and although more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between ketones and Alzheimer’s, the initial feedback is that the use of coconut oil (and its subsequent production of ketone bodies) leads to improvement in brain function and memory.

• A clinical trial completed in 2004 found that MCTs promoted higher ketone levels, which in turn resulted in higher recall ability of Alzheimer’s patients.
• In 2009 a research trial involving 152 subjects was completed to identify whether increased ketone bodies influenced cognitive testing scores. The results were positive.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2604900/
• Research in 2015 found that coconut oil had positive effects on patients with Alzheimer’s, however concluded that results were dependent on gender, degree of dementia and presence or absence of diabetes.
• Other studies support these findings and medium chain triglycerides are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease .

Conclusion: Studies show that the MCTs in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies which in turn can supply energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieve symptoms.

The information given in this article is not intended to be used in place of medical care for any health issues, especially a serious one. It is simply provided for its educational value, helping you to better understand the benefits of virgin coconut oil. Always get medical care if you are sick or have unusual symptoms.

Alzheimer’s and coconut oil

A new debate has emerged about the use of coconut oil in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and patients with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a common cause of dementia in elderly people and is prevalent all over the world. Research is indicating that Alzheimer’s patients appear to have a reduced ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain. Medium-chain fatty acids may improve memory function because they promote the production of ketones, a source of fuel for the brain. (Ketone bodies are produced when the body metabolises medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), something coconut oil is rich in!)

Numerous studies have been completed in which this theory has been tested and although more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between ketones and Alzheimer’s, the initial feedback is that the use of coconut oil (and its subsequent production of ketone bodies) leads to improvement in brain function and memory.

• A clinical trial completed in 2004 found that MCTs promoted higher ketone levels, which in turn resulted in higher recall ability of Alzheimer’s patients.
• In 2009 a research trial involving 152 subjects was completed to identify whether increased ketone bodies influenced cognitive testing scores. The results were positive.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2604900/
• Research in 2015 found that coconut oil had positive effects on patients with Alzheimer’s, however concluded that results were dependent on gender, degree of dementia and presence or absence of diabetes.
• Other studies support these findings and medium chain triglycerides are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease .

Conclusion: Studies show that the MCTs in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies which in turn can supply energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieve symptoms.

The information given in this article is not intended to be used in place of medical care for any health issues, especially a serious one. It is simply provided for its educational value, helping you to better understand the benefits of virgin coconut oil. Always get medical care if you are sick or have unusual symptoms.